The Unwinnable Game of Nepotism Bingo
It’s a familiar ritual. You’re scrolling, minding your own business, when a headline about the latest crop of 'nepo babies' flashes across the screen. Suddenly, you're deep in a comment section war, a digital courtroom where the children of the famous are tried for the crime of their own starting line.
In this cultural discourse, names like Zoe Kravitz and Dakota Johnson are perennial exhibits. But increasingly, the conversation finds its way to Eve Hewson. The star of critical darlings like Bad Sisters and the mind-bending Behind Her Eyes, Hewson has crafted a career that feels both earned and inevitable, making her the perfect case study for our societal obsession with privilege, talent, and fairness.
This isn't just about celebrity gossip. It's a raw look in the mirror. Our fascination with celebrity children careers is deeply tied to how we measure our own lives, our own successes, and our own perceived disadvantages. We use them as a yardstick, and the debate says more about us than it does about them.
The Comparison Trap: Why We're Obsessed with Ranking 'Nepo Babies'
Let’s look at the underlying pattern here. This intense public scrutiny isn't random; it's a textbook example of what psychologists call Social Comparison Theory. As our sense-maker Cory would explain, we are fundamentally wired to evaluate ourselves by looking at others. It’s how we gauge our own abilities and social standing.
When we engage in 'upward social comparison,' we look at people we perceive as being better off—like successful nepo babies in Hollywood—which can either inspire us or, more often, lead to feelings of inadequacy. We see the privilege but not the pressure, the access but not the anxiety of having to prove oneself against a famous parent's legacy. The career of someone like Eve Hewson becomes a public test of this dynamic.
Conversely, 'downward social comparison' happens when we look at those who 'failed' despite their advantages, which provides a temporary ego boost. This entire spectacle of navigating privilege and backlash is a cultural mechanism for processing our own feelings about fairness. It’s a messy, imperfect, and deeply human impulse.
Here’s a permission slip from Cory: You have permission to acknowledge the complicated reality that both privilege and immense pressure can exist in the same person. Judging it doesn't change your own path.
Different Paths, Same Starting Gate: What Their Choices Reveal
Let's get one thing straight. A famous last name is a key, but it doesn’t open every door. And some doors it opens lead to rooms you don't want to be in. Vix, our resident realist, would tell you to stop romanticizing the starting line and look at the race itself.
The debate often frames the Eve Hewson vs other actors dynamic as a simple pass/fail test, which is lazy. The reality is about strategy. Hewson's approach has been about building an authentic brand through her work. She chose complex, often ensemble-driven projects that showcased her acting range, slowly and deliberately creating a reputation that stands apart from her father, Bono. This strategy is geared toward long-term career viability, not just initial buzz.
Contrast this with Zoe Kravitz, who brilliantly leveraged her genetic inheritance of 'cool' into a multi-hyphenate brand spanning music, fashion, and film. Or Dakota Johnson, who parlayed a blockbuster franchise into the freedom to pursue quirky, interesting indie roles. They all started with a leg up, but they ran in completely different directions.
The hard truth? The game was never about being the 'best' nepo baby. It’s about being the smartest player with the hand you were dealt. Eve Hewson isn't successful because she 'overcame' her privilege; she's successful because she strategically navigated it.
Run Your Own Race: How to Use Comparison as Fuel, Not Poison
So we've analyzed the psychology and dissected the reality. Now, as our strategist Pavo would say, it’s time to make the move. How do you turn this corrosive habit of comparison into a constructive tool for your own life?
Here is the action plan:
Step 1: Conduct a Strategy Audit.
Instead of passively envying the success of Eve Hewson, actively analyze her choices. What types of roles did she take early on? How did she speak about her work and family in interviews? Isolate the actionable strategies from the unchangeable circumstances. Focus on the 'how,' not just the 'what.'
Step 2: Redefine Your Competition.
You are not competing with Eve Hewson. You are not competing with the person next to you at the office. Your only real competition is your own potential from yesterday. Define your own metrics for success, completely independent of external benchmarks. What does a 'win' look like for you this week?
Step 3: Master the 'Drafting' Technique.
In racing, 'drafting' is using the car ahead of you to reduce wind resistance and go faster. Use the careers of people you admire—whether it's Eve Hewson or a leader in your own field—as a draft. Don't copy their destination, but learn from the efficiency of their moves to accelerate your own journey.
Pavo's high-EQ script for when you feel that sting of comparison is this: Acknowledge the feeling, then immediately pivot to strategy. Tell yourself: "I recognize their success. What is one principle from their path that I can apply to my own race today?"
FAQ
1. Why is Eve Hewson often highlighted in the 'nepo baby' discussion?
Eve Hewson is a prominent example because she has achieved significant critical acclaim for roles in projects like 'Bad Sisters' and 'Behind Her Eyes,' building a respected career that many feel stands on its own merits, separate from her father's fame (Bono from U2). This makes her a key figure in discussions about whether talent can overshadow privilege.
2. What is social comparison theory and how does it relate to celebrity children?
Social comparison theory is the psychological concept that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others. We use 'nepo babies' as points of 'upward comparison,' measuring our own lives against their perceived advantages, which fuels our cultural fascination and debate.
3. How does Eve Hewson's career strategy differ from others like Zoe Kravitz?
While both are successful, their strategies differ. Eve Hewson focused on building an acting-centric brand through critically acclaimed and often complex roles. Zoe Kravitz leveraged her inherited 'cool' factor into a broader, multi-hyphenate brand across acting, fashion, and music, embodying a specific cultural aesthetic.
4. What's a constructive way to handle feelings of envy towards successful people?
Instead of focusing on the person's unchangeable advantages (like privilege), shift your focus to their strategy. Analyze the actionable choices they made, the skills they developed, and the work ethic they demonstrated. Use their path as a source of inspiration for your own goals, not as a benchmark for your self-worth.
References
psychologytoday.com — Social Comparison Theory
buzzfeed.com — I Can't Shut Up About How These 14 'Nepo Babies' Have Changed